asoe209

Hi there im hoping some one could give me some advise on a life choice im trying to make.

well here goes i am 24 years old and working as an administrator and i live in south London, i fell its time for a change. i have come to the dession that office work is not the place for me and the money is not really there. And i now want to do some thing with my hands.

i have been looking into a few electrican courses and most of the ones that i have found on like have been home learning ones. not they all seem to sound grate but i am un sure weather doing one of thses is some thing that an employer will be happy to take on.

the best one i have found said you do the course all the stuff is posted out to you and you just work through the matriel towards the end of each module you do a week at cardif or some where. with all the practial stuff. and an exam at the end. there are 4 modules and they say you finish this in about a year. the total cost of the course is £5000 and they say they can put you in to work at the end of it.

now right now i dont know the first thing about eletrics and im thinking this seems a little short to become fully qualified. as well as weather an employer will even look at some one that got it form a home learning course.

the exams are city&gilds and you do get a part p. with i belive is some thing that you need from what i have been reading.

im guess that there must be some quiffied people on here that can advise me on weather a home learning course is a good why to become an electrican or weather i have to go to college to do this.

i would be gratfull to know if any one has done a home learning course. are they lagit if you have done one. or what is the best way to become an electrican and how long will it take to do it.

thanks.

PAUL M

Home learning is not for everyone and has you state you have no knowledge of electrics i think i would be inclined to opt for the college route,i did 3 nights a week for 2 years plus working in the trade as well,and you get better support ,advice face to face.

asoe209

that makes sense. may i ask how long it take before you can start working in the trade while going college. is it hard to get a spot while in college.

greekislandlover

You don't need to be at college to get a job in the trade, or be in the trade to go to college either. Having taken the initiative to get into college does help to impress future employers IMHO. I'd deffinitely opt for the college route if possible. You'll get to discuss things you can't get to grips with, plus you will make contacts that may lead to a job.

I'd be inclined to try all of the local sparks and bigger employers to see if anyone's after a mate. Be prepared to start on low money initially, but in the long run it will be worth it. Good luck!

Bane

Pull your finger out of your ar*e and you may even get lucky and be able to enrol for this years courses.

You want to be looking for the City & Guilds 2330 Electrical Installation.

Your 24 so classed as a mature student which will probably go in your favour. (Commitment, maturity, etc).

Next step. Go on yell.com (or Yellow Pages) look up ALL electrical contractors/companies/firms, etc and do either or all of the following:

1) Phone them up asking if theiy have any vacancies for a labourer or electricians mate.

2) Send them e-mails attaching a copy of your CV (or not) asking the same as above.

3) Visit them in person and ask the same (personally I find this much better as you can tell so much from a person face to face).

4) Visit local building sites asking to start as a labourer. Your in 'the door' so to speak, you'll get to meet joiners, plumbers, electricians (sparks), ducters and whoever and who knows what opportunities may then arise?

Most importantly, show willingness to learn, interest, punctuality and you wont go far wrong.

Also, if you do get on with a firm, this will also go in your favour when enrolling at college.

Oh yeah, finally, if you have £45 spare (and even if you don't) get yourself a CSCS Card (Google it). You won't get on some building sites without one and it is a ridiculously easy 'exam' to partake in.

Hope this has helped some. Good luck in your search and keep us posted with your progress.

wayne

sane advice from bane ,whatever next!!!!!!

Bane

I know. Become boring haven't I

asoe209

Hi thanks sound like a good plan and you right about pulling my finger out.

so am i right in thinking that i should enroll to a college 1st then do all the other steps you advised on.

my only concern right now is losing money i have a few things to pay out(car, insurance & rent being the main) for so i cant take to much f a drop right now.

im going to give Vaxuall college a ring tomorrow and see what they say on prices.

Bane

You never lose money when you invest in yourself.

*Assumes a Zen-like position*

College 1st... Hmmm, personally I got on as a labourer first then enrolled but each to their own!

Let us know how you get on.

rumrunner

hi
i would think it would be easier to get a job if allready working as a labourer ,if i was starting somone i would be looking to see if they were reliable and could get up in the morning and also if they were the right type of person to work on a site,the initial handshake probably says it all,so get out there grafting asap if i were you

By the way thats a nice bit of phylosophy there Bane